Material-handling device actuator



March 5, 1968 F. BLATT 3,371,583

MATERIALHANDLING DEVICE ACTUATOR Filed March 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR LELAND F. BLATT ATTORNEYS March 5, 1968 F. BLATT 3,371,583

MATERIAL-HANDLING DEVICE ACTUATOR Filed March 11, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR LELAND F. BLATT ATTORNEYS inder piston 52 would return to its right hand position. i

This would effect the release of the workpiece. The device would then be in condition to repeat the above cycle on the next workpiece.

The proper sequencing of valves 66 and 72 could be achieved by a series of solenoids and a cam-operated timer switch or the like.

It can be seen that the device of this invention provides an extremely reliable and maintenance free construction. The hydraulic supply lines are all concealed and protected within steel structural elements. By such a construction, the problem of hose fouling and wear is eliminated.

This invention may be further developed within the scope of the following claim. Accordingly, the above specification is to be interpreted as illustrative of only a single embodiment, and not in a strictly limited sense.

I new claim:

1. A material-handling device actuator comprising:

a source of fluid pressure;

a travel cylinder assembly comprising a housing, a hollow cylinder secured to said housing, a hollow supporting rod secured to said cylinder and said housing, and a piston and piston rod assembly mounted for reciprocating movement within said travel cylinder under the influence of diflierential pressure applied to the opposed faces of said travel cylinder piston, said supporting rod serving as a conduit for actuating pressure to be applied to said travel cylinder piston, said travel cylinder piston rod having an end extending out through one end of said travel cylinder;

an actuating cylinder assembly fixed to said protruding end of said travel cylinder piston rod and comprising a hollow cylinder housing, a piston and piston rod assembly mounted for reciprocating movement within said actuating cylinder under the influence of differential pressure applied to the opposed faces of said actuating cylinder piston, the stroke of said actuating cylinder piston being parallel to and c0- axial with that of said travel cylinder piston, said actuating cylinder piston rod having an end extending out through one end of said actuating cylinder and adapted to be connected to a workpiece gripping unit;

said actuating cylinder assembly further comprising a pair of hollow guide rods rigidly secured to said actuating cylinder housing and parallel to said travel cylinder piston rod, said guide rods being mounted for reciprocating movement through said travel cylinder housing;

and fluid circuit means operatively connecting said source of fluid pressure to said travel cylinder and to said actuating cylinder, the circuit to said actuating cylinder utilizing said hollow guide rods as conduits.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 38,606 5/1863 Rymes 9213 X 600,566 3/1898 Webster 92161 X 1,575,185 3/1926 Stenhouse 92-61 X 1,645,665 10/1927 Simpson 92161 X 2,670,717 3/1954 Armington 92--161 X 2,902,178 9/1959 Kramer 9251 X 3,027,877 4/1962 Lansky 92164 X 3,233,523 2/1966 Passaggio 92-164 X MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

I. C. COHEN, Assistant Examiner. 

